Alto Adige - Südtirol Wine

Alto Adige is the north half of the larger region known as Trentino-Alto Adige, in northern Italy. Also known as Sudtirol (South Tyrol), it borders Austria, and is bilingually German and Italian, with many Germanic influences.

The area dates back to the Bronze Age, first inhabited by the Celts, then the Etruscans. The Romans took it over in the 1st century AD. After the fall of the Roman empire, it suffered much of the same fate as other parts of the country as the target of violent invading factions such as the Visigoths. This bi-cultural blend of Italian and German began in the Middle Ages. By the end of World War II, the industrial revolution propelled the region’s infrastructure and economy. The Alto Adige became a popular tourist resort destination, bringing with it, a global appreciation of the region’s wines, cultivated for centuries by monks. The prestigious wine school San Michele all’Adige helped bring the wines to new heights of quality into the Read more »

Alto Adige is the north half of the larger region known as Trentino-Alto Adige, in northern Italy. Also known as Sudtirol (South Tyrol), it borders Austria, and is bilingually German and Italian, with many Germanic influences.

The area dates back to the Bronze Age, first inhabited by the Celts, then the Etruscans. The Romans took it over in the 1st century AD. After the fall of the Roman empire, it suffered much of the same fate as other parts of the country as the target of violent invading factions such as the Visigoths. This bi-cultural blend of Italian and German began in the Middle Ages. By the end of World War II, the industrial revolution propelled the region’s infrastructure and economy. The Alto Adige became a popular tourist resort destination, bringing with it, a global appreciation of the region’s wines, cultivated for centuries by monks. The prestigious wine school San Michele all’Adige helped bring the wines to new heights of quality into the 21st century. Along with well known cooperatives with high levels of production and big followings, the region has become known for some excellent independent wineries.

Many of the wines are identified by DOC title, of which there are many, and/or district, further broken down into commune zones, that each have an Italian and then a German name. For example, Alto Adige Terlano is also called Sudtirol Terlaner, all referring to wines cultivated from the vineyards surrounding the town of Terlano.

Alto Adige wines very much bear the mark of its Germanic cultural identity, with white varietals such as Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Kerner, Müller-Thurgau and Sylvaner. What many consider the world’s best expressions of Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) are produced here.

The best known local indigenous varietals are both red. Schiava (Vernatsch) is the most widely planted. It’s a popular, light, fruity red, sometimes produced in an off dry style. Lagrein is a bolder, darker red that is characterized by its perfumey aromatics. Lagrein also makes excellent rosés. The two are sometimes blended together to give Schiava more fragrant depth and Lagrein more fruit to offset its tannic properties. Moscato Rosa, a rare Muscat clone, produces prized dessert wines. ~Amanda Schuster

rich, cloing fat. 07 was a warm growing season and the earliest harvest on record in the Alto Adige. This wine shows it as it has an almost new world flavor spectrum.
gold in color
melon and papaya in the nose
fat on the mid palate with slight mar...

Slight green hue. Wonderfully refreshing mouthfeel with a rush of tropical fruits but not overwhelming. Hints of lemon, grass, and minerals. Wonderful summer wine and would seek it out again. Well balanced in acidity and sweetness.

Light red cherry aromas. Showing more full in the mouth, with creamy red cherry notes, some licorice and baking spice. This is a refreshing and easy drinking bottle with bright red fruit, bracing acidity, tart cranberry flavors, medium tannins and a ch...

Smelling a bit beefy and peppery this is a bit of an odd take at first with subtle citrus and pineapple aromas growing in the glass before being joined by tart red cranberry fruit and lemon verbena notes. There’s also a dustiness on the nose and blind ...

This is rather light on the nose with a fine blend of citrus and spice tones, topped with some gentle mineral tones. With air the citrus character here really pops, adding distinct notes of grapefruit, lime and orange. A bit broader on entry than I exp...

Floral with stemmy base notes then smoky with a hint of honey, some earthiness and a nice gentle sandlewood accent over lightly burnished red cherry fruit. On entry this is supple, elegant and brightly fruited with a bit of stemmy wood sticking out a b...

Leather and a bit animal on the nose with sweet red pastille fruit and floral aromas that are fairly intense. This is gamy with perhaps a hint of brett on the nose. Sweetly-fruited and polished in the mouth with a weightlessness to the intensity of the...

Fairly fruity on the nose but in a lightly tropical, floral way, with fine underlying pear fruit flecked with mineral and salt accents. This is really attractive in the mouth, delivering rich white peach, pear and lime fruit. Bright, almost steely acid...

These fun little breakfast nests will be a hit with the kids . The crispy hash brown nests go great with eggs and bacon . For a tasty addition to your Easter brunch or for other special occasions, ... Read more »

While most scone recipes are prepared as an accompaniment for afternoon tea or coffee, this savory variation, flavored with cheese and bacon, makes an excellent breakfast dish for people on the go. Read more »

Floral bouquet of orange blossom and tangerine. Palate is juicy and fresh due to the cooler climate, with lemon and green apple flavors and good acidity and spice ticking the palate with some additional floral notes and a pop of tart citrus which melts into a yeasty finish.
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Light red cherry aromas. Showing more full in the mouth, with creamy red cherry notes, some licorice and baking spice. This is a refreshing and easy drinking bottle with bright red fruit, bracing acidity, tart cranberry flavors, medium tannins and a chewy finish.88 pts
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A hint of nuttiness on the nose is paired with green apple and lemon notes. Very straightforward and approachable palate, mostly notes of lemon and green apple but with a touch of peach as well.
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